Showing posts with label Business. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Business. Show all posts

Friday, June 1, 2012

How to Build Your Business With Attraction Marketing

If you're looking to build your business into a successful enterprise then you have to master effective strategies that will help you to achieve your goals. Get ready because we're about to reveal the secret to a great online business. It's a tried and tested method that gave hundreds of marketers like you the right tools to stay ahead. It's called Attraction Marketing.

Working smarter not harder, this is what attraction marketing will teach you. Pretty soon you'll be attracting numerous sales leads online without the hassles of cold calling or hard selling. You'll now be able to focus on relevant leads and not waste any more time on people who won't even listen to what you have to say.

Everything starts with you. Attraction marketing can only build your business if YOU have the right mindset for it. The secret starts with focusing on what you want. Think about your business goals and what you see yourself doing after you have succeeded. You must then align your business with this determination for success then communicate it clearly to your customers. By doing so, you will be able to attract people with the same goals as you. These people will become long-term clients or business partners who will help you to finally build your business into what you have dreamed of.

One of attraction marketing's basic concepts is to give more in order to receive more. You gain happiness and success by sharing it with others. If you send out positive energy, it will come back. Attraction marketing will teach you to attract key people and retain them by making lasting connections. As a network marketer, you have to convert prospects into customers by building trust and rapport. Keep them happy and they will make you happier in return by giving you good business.

Let's enumerate the steps you should take. First, think of your goals and focus on them hard. You will then attract people with similar goals, people who will aid you towards reaching your goals. In order for this to happen, you have to make lasting relationships with them. Make them happy with your service so that they'll make you happy with their recurring sales in turn. Deliver on your promises, provide quality work and make it a habit. Give your customers a reason to stay. Build your business by hooking the right people in, satisfying their expectations and keeping them close for the long run.

Everything starts with you. If you want to succeed, focus and work on it, then it will most definitely come to you. Attraction marketing starts with mere thoughts but it ends with concrete action. By doing this, the results will then be clear and tangible as well. Nothing is impossible if you put your mind into it.

The best part about this entire process is that the more you practice attraction marketing, the more it becomes a habit for you. And while all of this is happening, your success rate increases as well. The feeling of having succeeded will give you a powerful boost to do more and become better which will then bring about more achievements. Success will keep on coming!

Now that you've learned the secret, it's time to live it. Join the ranks of the best online marketers out there. You now know how to build your business with attraction marketing.

To get even more free information and articles on attraction marketing or other internet marketing strategies, visit http://LeliaRaynal4YourSuccess.com. Enter your name and e-mail address to get even more free tips, tools, free e-books on internet marketing and receive other information about powerful business models to build your online business.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

The Top Ten Books For Fitness Professional Who Want to Grow Their Business

These books have helped me tremendously! They are listed in no particular order, and there are 2 bonus books as well! Read them, put their ideas into action, and watch your business take off and lifestyle come into balance. They are cheap! Some of them are only $8. It will be a great investment in your future. All books also get at least 4 out of 5 stars on Amazon. Enjoy.

Please feel free to leave comments or emails with feedback. What book helped you grow your business the most? Any books you think should be added to this list? What about great nutrition books that have helped you?

Think and Grow Rich: The Landmark Bestseller--Now Revised and Updated for the 21st Century

1) Think and Grow Rich - if you read this book, and do what it says, you will grow

rich. Period. This is considered the classic book on how to build wealth. This guy studied the richest people of his time for years, and then wrote this book based on the commonalities he observed from his subjects. What he found is that your attitude will determine your altitude, which is great because we get to choose our attitude. Learn the habits and attitudes of the masters and make them your own for super success.

The Holographic Universe

2) The Holographic Universe - the Buddha said "With our thoughts we create the world". Sounds interesting, but is it true? This book begins to lay down the scientific argument for why this is absolutely true through quantum physics. It is a great read, once you get past the science laden first 2 chapters, and it is really inspirational. It lays the scientific foundation for the saying "attitude determines altitude". If you already believe this in your heart, then you don't have to read this book, but if your rational brain needs some convincing, this is a great place to start.

The Experience Economy: Work Is Theater & Every Business a Stage

3) The Experience Economy: Work is Theatre and Every Business a Stage - learn more about how you can transform peoples' lives with your business. Most trainers know from my seminars, I truly believe creative a transformative experience with exercise is the most valuable thing a personal trainer can provide their client. This book goes into the details of why experiences are the economic unit and demonstrate how they are the most vital and valuable entities in the new economy.

Pop!: Stand Out in Any Crowd

4) POP! Stand Out In Any Crowd - develop a unique marketing message fast. The book is more like a workbook, and will give you specific exercise to do with your ideas, so you can create a unique business or product name, and create unique ways of marketing your ideas that get noticed and engage people. Getting attention for your business is critical in our over communicated culture. There is way too much information at our fingertips at all times, and too many distractions. This book will help you stand out from the crowd easily and get more attention for your business. Recommend for those who already have some money to re-invest in their business and are looking to expand their brand.

The 4-Hour work Week: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich

5) The Four Hour Work Week This book is the instant new classic, a New York Times best seller, and fun as hell to read. It is a timely and astute handbook which teaches how to leverage your time, the internet, and other people to create the lifestyle of your dreams. I can't recommend this book enough. In fact, if I could only recommend one book, this would be it. The author is in his early thirties and is already independently wealthy and tremendously accomplished. Read this book and use it as a handbook to build an empire and the lifestyle of your dreams. If you are looking to book yourself fast, start with Book Yourself Solid, which will give you a return on your money faster.

The Power of Your Subconscious Mind

6) The Power of Your Subconscious Mind - use "scientific prayer" to create the

rest of your life. This is another book that demonstrates the power of our thoughts. While this book does not give as much as a scientific explanation as "The Holographic Universe", it does give you practical ideas and exercises to help you start taking control of your thoughts and your destiny.

7) The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference - understanding

pandemics in both life and business. Every successful product, idea, or services has a tipping point, the point at which its growth goes from linear to exponential. The author illustrates that there are 3 universal factors that interact to create the tipping point for all pandemics. This book is a great read and fascinating, and is very applicable to how you can grow your business fast and strong.

8) Primal Leadership: Learning to Lead with Emotional Intelligence - be able to lead any person with any type of personality. This book is great for developing your leadership skills, and managing different kinds of clients with different kinds of personalities. It is an OK read, but the science and ideas are rock solid and invaluable.

9) Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High - This is a great book for handling hard conversations. Remember, a person's success can usually be measured by the # of difficult or awkward conversations they can navigate successfully. Don't hide in your comfort zone; flirt with the edges of the comfort zone so it expands. As your comfort zone gets bigger, your sphere of influence will expand, and your ability to make shit happen will exponentially increase. First build your demand for your business, with books like The Four Hour Work Week and POP! Stand Out In Any Crowd and Book Yourself Solid, then confront the clients that are not working for you. You know, the ones I am talking about, the ones that make you look "bad". Get rid of them gracefully and focus your efforts on the clients you love.

10) You Can Negotiate Anything - the title speaks for itself, and is %100 accurate. While the book is old and the examples in it are out of date to the point of being funny, the principles are as sound as could be. I have found the skills I have acquired from this book to be very helpful in handling penny pinching clients (who are often executives with big budgets that fight for every dollar they can) and raising rates. Read the book, than use the skills you learn out on Canal St or in a flea market, to perfect your skills before using them with your clients, as you need to be totally relaxed and confident when implementing them. This is a very useful book, and has helped me confidently and consistently raise my rates over the last decade.

BONUS BOOKS!

Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain

11) Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain This book covers content that every personal trainer, student, school teacher, and principal should know! Exercise creates new neurons in your brain! And not just anywhere in your brain, but in the areas that deal with memory, learning, attention, and survival. Spark summarizes the research that has finally proven this simple fact: exercising can make you smarter! It also opens up new niches and ways of marketing for exercise professionals, like training to prevent Alzhiemer's, training to help addicts in recovery, and youth exercise. Read this book, and learn how what kinds of exercise have been proven to increase neurons in your brain, and how to take full advantage of this fact on behalf of your clients and your business. Knowledgeable Personal Trainer = Brain

Enhancer. It is a scientific fact!

Book Yourself Solid: The Fastest, Easiest, and Most Reliable System for Getting More Clients Than You Can Handle Even if You Hate Marketing and Selling

12) Book Yourself Solid: The Fastest, Easiest, Most Reliable System for Getting More Clients Then You Can Handle Even If You Hate Marketing and Selling Truth be told, this is the only book on the list that I have not read from cover to cover, but what I have read is excellent. I have seen the author speak in person and I was very impressed. This book will give you the biggest return on your investment in regards to getting more clients. If the main problem you want to fix is "getting more clients" then look no further and start right here, it will give you the biggest bang for your buck as long as you put the ideas into action. Well, there you have it. Education will give you the biggest and best return on your investment. Just pick up the book that intrigues or excites you the most, or the one you think will be the most helpful for your particular situation. Start reading, put its ideas into action immediately, and reap the benefits.

Until next time, keep your business fit.
Johnny Fitness

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Ideas For Growing Your Business and Developing Your Brand

What you really want to do is spend more time serving your current clients and acquiring new ones.

When it comes to building your brand and promoting your business a good starting point is having a clear message of what your business can do. It also helps to know what you want your clients and prospective clients to think of you.

It's critical to know what makes you unique. Communicate that message with a few memorable words and images.

In his succinct and insightful book, Selling the Invisible, Harry Beckwith states," The more you say, the less people hear."

Beckwith goes on to tell us that our focus must be "fanatical" and that we have to, "Stand for one distinctive thing that will give us a competitive advantage." Your simplicity should be ruthless.

The main benefits should be said in one sentence or a short phrase. Apple did this by saying, "1,000 songs in your pocket". This was their slogan for the 1st Generation iPod.

You must also answer the questions, "How is what you offer different than your competitors". And "Why should anyone buy it from you?" Imagine what you want your clients to say about you to their friends and family members when you are not around.

Another way to stand out from the crowd is to be an industry leader. For example, Docutel was the first company to provide networked Automated Teller Machines. Voodoo was the first company to offer liquid-cooled computers. And Avis is the first rental car company to make mobility scooters available in conjunction with vehicle rentals.

Turn this idea around and start working with people who are doing something for their first time, like home buyers or people investing in IRA's. Brainstorm ways you can adapt this concept to your business.

Another thing to consider is making a list of the characteristics of the clients that you most desire to work with. Draft a profile of the ideal client you would like to work with by identifying the main characteristics of your best clients and start marketing in that direction.

In most cases, targeting the type of clients you want to work with will send you in a direction that will earn you the most return on your efforts.

Next, you will want to eliminate your least profitable clients. Not all clients bring equal value to your business. Write up a full description of each or your client's contributions and expenses to your company; consider overhead costs as well as other expenses on a per client basis. It is important to use measurable information.

Establishing your brand identity and knowing the type of client you want to work with is a measurable way to leverage the concept of working smarter rather than harder.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Web Video Conference Solutions For Reduced Cost On Communication

Business meetings have become unavoidable these days. Even you can't expect to grow your business connectivity and productivity without regular business meetings and updates. Are you spending hundreds of dollars on making regular contacts with distant placed clients, associates and colleagues? Don't you think it costs both time and money to organize and attend business meetings at places other than your office? So, why don't you seek for web video conference solutions that will let you convey your business related information to the concerned persons without leaving your office. With the highly interactive communication technology of web video conferencing, you can manage saving a lot of money and time that will simply build up over a period of month or year.

The cost savings effects of web video conferencing are well established. Since less money and time will be spent on business travels and no hiring of meeting facilities will be required your official staff can concentrate on core functional areas rather than organizing meetings.

Cutting Down On Travel Expenditure

Long distance business travels or trips are not cheap. Whether it is a visit in flight, train or cruise there will always be a huge cost associated with the travel plan including tickets, hotel accommodation, transportation and food whose cost will hamper your bottom line.

Web video conference reduces the necessity of travel. Users from multiple physical locations can immediately get connected to live business meetings via internet. Whether it is due to cancelled or delayed flights, traffic congestion on the road, your company may be losing its valuable money and time every minute. Though you can't imagine of recovering the time and money wasted while your business professionals wait for the rescheduled flight or the traffic jam to get cleared but web video conferencing calls can provide you with potential results. They will not only reduce your frustration but also manage the monetary loss with the productive use of time.

Saving Precious Time Equals To Money Gain

Apart from travel there are several other factors that cost your company in money and time. It may be the man hour loss in organizing and attending to business meetings at a distant place which leave your employees tired to handle their daily job after completion of the meeting. Some way has to be found out to properly coordinate and execute the meetings at your workplace. This time it is the web video conference companies that are coming to save your time on meetings and help you generating sales ideas for your business.

Web video conferencing works in a smarter way and can make your business look sophisticated. With the assistance of web video conferencing company, it takes only few hours to conclude a business meeting which earlier lasted for several days. Economic business meetings at convenient hours are something that most of your employees would like to have. In turn, you will get more man hour and revenue as well.

Advanced Features For Reduced Price

There are several advanced communicative features like document and file sharing, message sending that make web video conference a nice and suitable option. In web conference calls participants can see and talk to each other regardless of their physical locations. Presentations can be delivered to others more accurately and quickly. Online documents can be shared, modified and updated in real time. In the absence of web video conferencing, such type of virtual collaboration would have caused your business loss of money and time.

Monday, May 21, 2012

Smart Business

In the year 2010, we are going to see some changes. There are many companies that struggled through 2009. There is hope on the horizon for them. I'm not saying that everything will be easy, but I am saying that things will be better.

Why will things be better? They will be better because businesses will be working smarter. We've all heard the saying: "work smarter, not harder." Well, I have witnessed businesses working smarter this past year and will continue to do so in 2010. Actually, my clients were working smarter even back in 2008. The best and brightest companies have been working smart for many years.

What is smart business? Smart business is when companies stay true to their vision and invest in their core. Businesses that practice this have been successful for years. The best and brightest mentioned earlier have been doing just that for many years. As they have done that, they have become the best and as they continue to do it, they will continue to be the best.

What do they do? Smart businesses stay true to vision and invest in their core. Staying true to vision sounds straight forward enough and you would think it was basic business. Unfortunately, many businesses stray from their vision and have trouble getting back to it. When this happens, the business suffers. Clients and customers are alienated, employees are confused and often disgruntled and the performance of the business reflects all of this.

The clients and customers are vital to the business. Without them feeling comfortable and satisfied, sales become more difficult. When they don't know what to expect, they will go elsewhere to get what they can expect.

There is one thing that smart businesses know that has helped them remain the best and brightest. In fact these actions have helped them hire and retain the best and brightest employees. And that is the second part of the equation- Investing in their core. Employees become the company and the company becomes the employees.

The best and brightest companies know this and they use it to their advantage. They invest in the core of their company by building their workforce and taking care of it. They know that a happy employee is a dedicated employee. They know that a healthy employee is a productive employee.

Most importantly for smart businesses, they combine these two principles into one. They invest in their core and encourage them to continue driving forward. They share the vision and make sure it is clear and emphasize the importance of sticking with it.

I have learned a lot about smart businesses in my years as a consultant. I have seen what works and what doesn't work. What I find most interesting is how employees and employers are so intertwined.

Why are they so intertwined? Employers and employees are intertwined because of the principles of smart business. Business taking advantage of these principles are seeing success. Those that do not are likely struggling or even disappearing.

For a more specific answer, let's take a look at the principles in a more literal sense. Vision and sticking to vision: a company that sets clear goals and sticks to actions that lead to them achieving those goals is a successful company. In order to do this, they need to have employees that have clear goals and stick to actions that lead them achieving those goals.

It sounds simple because it is that simple. What makes it even better is the fact that employees that can do this in the office can also do it in their personal lives. People are the same at work as they are at home. By investing in the person, you are encouraging them to keep the vision, both the company vision and their own personal vision.

By investing in employees, they invest in the company. Think about it, all employees want to be healthy and feel good. If their employer not only encourages that but takes an active role, it speaks volumes. The best part about it is that you can keep reinforcing these habits and they will keep moving your company in the right direction: more and more work toward the vision with better capacity and energy.

Again, this is working smart. It's not working any harder. It is simply setting priorities, communicating those priorities and supporting them. This doesn't take any more effort. In fact, it is easier. Once your core (employees) is on board with the vision and working hard to achieve it, everything works smoothly. As you continue to invest in the core you are reinforce the importance of the vision and even help strengthen their ability to work toward it.

Smart business is a company staying true to their vision and investing in their core. More specifically, smart business is investing in their core and making sure that they stay true to their vision while helping the company stay true to its vision.

You've heard me talk about healthy business. This actually sounds a lot like healthy business. In fact, healthy business and smart business are one in the same. A healthy company is a smart company and as we've discussed, it is clear to see that a smart and healthy company is going to be a successful company.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Clubber Lang's Prediction About the Communications Agency Business

Clubber Lang's prediction about the communications agency business

As the eloquent Clubber Lang (Mr. T) said in Rocky III when asked for his prediction for his upcoming fight with Rocky Balboa, his response was "Pain".

Pain is what many agencies (and businesses in general) are experiencing right now and, alas, continued pain is ahead for many agencies at least for the balance of 2009. Despite the overly optimistic predictions of agency heads in this publication in the April 2009 issue ("Bullish about Advertising in Philadelphia"), the reality is that many agencies are struggling. I know agency heads are eternal optimists and I used to be one (that's an agency head, not an eternal optimist), but a dose of realism is warranted. Advertising spending is declining nationally at a rate close to 10% and local spending has declined 25% or more. Business is weak for many agencies right now, and while others are still plugging away and may have OK years, clearly 2009 will be a year many agencies will want to forget.

A little perspective is warranted as this is not the first recession to hit the communications industry. The recessions of '74-75, '81, '91, and '01-02 were also painful, particularly in some sectors of business. But this is far different. The economic downturn is deeper and far more pervasive across virtually every business segment, and while the serious economic issues that we are facing may ultimately fade, they will not recede quickly. The communications industry had already been changing drastically before the economic meltdown last year. So with those cheery thoughts, what's a smart communications agency to do to survive in the short term, and hopefully flourish in the longer term?

There is no time where it is more critical for an agency to have a strong reason for being-something a little stronger than the patter of many agencies, "We are not too big, so our clients get management attention. We are good people and get results".

I have heard that same patter from many small and mid-sized agencies (lest I be too critical, I cringe that I mouthed the same patter at one time as well). Of course, every small/mid-sized agency offers "management attention"- you're not that big, and every agency, large or small, promises "results".

That's why ever agency needs to strengthen its reason for being. A strong reason for being for a communications agency can be an expertise in a specific type of industry, or a strong focus in a specific type of marketing communications-online, PR, media etc. But those who try to do "lots of things" of "all types of clients" are struggling mightily--and have been failing-- at a far greater rate than those who have a strong focus. There was a time when the "we can do it all for you" story had some merit as clients sought integrated solutions that they thought an agency with multiple disciplines could provide. But the reality is that most agencies don't have universal strengths across all disciplines and businesses.

Moreover, companies have gotten far smarter and better at orchestrating their own integrated marketing and as a result pick and more choose the agency resources in a project and ala carte manner based on the specific agency's expertise, which is why having a unique specialty in industry or discipline is so critically important.

So here are 5 things every smart agency should be doing right now to insure its future success, even in today's awful economic environment:

1. Determine what you do best, and FOCUS on that--Focus is tough for many agencies who believe in the "yes we can do that" mentality. That you can do many things doesn't make you good at them. Furthermore if you want to be known for something, focus is the only way to get there. In fact lack of focus is the enemy of real success. Focus is difficult, requires discipline, and an agency may have to take a step back to ultimately leap ahead.

2. Accept the fact that agency of record assignments are declining.--Advertisers large and small are moving away from historical AOR relationships to project ones. Agencies can be very profitable handling significant projects but the changing nature of relationships forces a different mindset and mode of operation (see #3)

3. Operate with ruthless efficiency--Question every expenditure and every staffing decision. Have fewer FTEs and more part timers and contract relationships. Every agency needs to be more flexible in expanding and contracting its work force. There are many freelancers available to help at a minutes notice if an agency builds its network-and these freelancers are more than recently laid off employees. There are many top pros who have built a strong freelance practice because they chose to manage their lives, schedules and income based on their own personal agendas.

4. Strengthen your digital capabilities--This suggestion comes under the headline of incredibly obvious and many years too late. But for those late to the digital party, better get there fast and strong.

5. Pitch only when you believe you will win--Strengthen the odds of success by being far more selective about your pitches. Again that's why focus is so important. Agencies win business when they are positioned to win-when they have relationships, category knowledge and come into a pitch well regarded. Pitching lots of business and losing has serious costs mentally and financially.

The economic issues the industry and the country are facing may fade within a year or two and there may be fewer agencies in the wake. However, stronger, more focused, and more flexible agencies will survive and thrive in the years ahead.

Friday, May 18, 2012

Do You Make These 4 Social Media Mistakes When Promoting Your Business?

It is a known fact that Social Media helps build communities. But there are so many social media tools to choose from, and many entrepreneurs and small business owners do not know how to use the tools to their advantage.

Well, since I have been learning as I help my clients improve their business, I thought I would share 3 quick tips on how to avoid the top social media mistakes.

The Top 4 Mistakes to Avoid (especially when using Facebook) are:

1. Self Promotion - Yes, I know this may seem backwards to some. But do you really believe that your customers and potential clients want to hear about how great you are every day? They are not interested in how you are living the fabulous life in the fab lane.

So what do our site visitors really want, you ask? They simply want to know how you can help them solve their problems. That is what they are really interested in. So if you can focus on how your products and services will help put out a fire that your site visitor is having, you will be on your way to obtaining paying customers and repeat clients very soon.

To tell you the truth, that is exactly how my blog design business took off a few years ago. A potential client asked a blog design question on some forum that I was visiting that day. I knew the answer to her questions, so I decided to reply. She thanked me for solving her problem that day. Then later in the evening, I received an email from her asking if I was for hire. I said sure, and the rest, as they say, was history.

2. Seeking Popularity instead of Targeted Leads - My point here is that the number of Facebook Fans (popularity) is not necessarily indicative of entrepreneurial success. Some entrepreneurs believe that getting 5,000 or more FB fans or "Likes" is the key to making a huge profit in sales. What they don't know is, it is far better to have maybe 300 targeted prospects that are truly interested in your products and services than to have 5,000 friends on your Facebook Fan Page who could care less about your brand or what you have to offer.

I have observed on my own personal blog, that the number of visitors and clients who request my services have increased 4-fold. It happened when I started focusing more on how I can deliver real value to help entrepreneurs and small businesses succeed. You can do the same by focusing your marketing efforts on prospects and current customers. For example, if you choose to use an email marketing software, you could mention your Facebook page or other Social Media platforms in the email.

On the flip side, I speak to entrepreneurs all the time who are looking for guidance in setting better goals for their social media campaigns. Some of them are frustrated because they do have over 5,000 fans, but the fans are not being converted into customers. I see it happen all too often. Once you decide what is really important to you (popularity vs targeted leads), a more practical approach to align your goals with your social media tools will yield better results.

3. Using the Wrong Social Media Tools - It is important to know that there are many social media tools that you can use to build a community around your brand. However, it does not mean that you should use every one of the tools to promote your business. As an entrepreneur or small business owner, you need to spend some time up front to determine which tools will provide you the most benefit. Determine what your goals are and decide what will be the most effective tool to achieve your objectives. It may take some trial and error to determine which methods are connecting with your targeted audience. It is better to use a few Social Media tools that work to your advantage, than to use too many tools and not achieve your objectives. Remember that the goal of your Social Media activity is to engage and interact with your audience, not to just talk "at them" or to just always listen. It is a two-way street.

4. Not having a customized Facebook page - It is a great start to have a Facebook page. But you need to go to the next step and make sure you have a customized, professional page. You should also have a custom landing page that tells your visitors what to do once they land on your page. Also you need to make sure your Facebook page is consistent with your website. This will keep your brand for your business consistent.

So in closing, I would say to focus your efforts on things that drive a positive return on your investment. If it doesn't work, then stop doing it. My goal for going into the New Year is to work smarter, not harder!